Everyone loves summer - right?  While most of the country gets to celebrate a generous half-year or more of warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine it seems like Duluth-Superior gets one week - on a good year!  So it's no wonder that Twin Ports natives like to maximize the weather when we get it.

No matter where you live it seems like there is disagreement on when the season of summer actually starts. Astronomically speaking, the season we commonly refer to as "summer" is related to the sun.  The Summer Solstice begins each year when the sun is at it's highest position in the sky as seen from the north or south pole.  In our area, it's related to the North Pole and begins each year sometime between June 20 and June 22.  Along those lines, the summer season officially ends with the September Equinox - that moment when the sun crosses the Equator - usually sometime between September 21 - 24.

However in the Northland - where we've seen snow in just about every one of the 12 months - it's more difficult to determine when summer really starts.  That's why I've developed this list.

These are the Top Five Ways Duluth-Superior Natives Know Summer Has Arrived.  Mention any one of these entries to someone who has spent any length of time in the Duluth-Superior area and you're sure to get a head nod of acknowledgement and the removal of one of their winter layers.

 

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    Parking Becomes Difficult In Canal Park

    Mention the Duluth-Superior area to someone who isn't from here and chances are they know about Canal Park.  And - if they've been lucky enough to visit our area - chances are more than good that they spent some time in Canal Park.

    As a tourist destination that's situated right next to Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge, the Lakewalk and the harbor entry, the warmer summer months seem to see an increase in traffic that's ten-fold in nature.  Parking is often hard to find and usually comes with a price tag.

    While native Northlanders love and appreciate the rewards that wait in Canal Park, they also grumble about the massive amounts of people and the lack of parking there during the summer months.

     

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    The Portland Malt Shoppe And A & Dubs Opens For The Season

    Two iconic seasonal favorites represent the summer season to many:  the Portland Malt Shoppe and A & Dubs.

    Located right near the shores of Lake Superior and just off the Lakewalk, the Portland Malt Shoppe is a favorite destination for many.  The establishment is open from early-April to late-October, providing ice cream, floats, cones, and their famous malts.

    Similarly-seasonal, A & Dubs offers the sort of food that many relate with summer;  char-burgers, French fries, root beer, and more round out a menu that's time-tested.  A & Dubs also opens only for the summer months and the year-to-year timetable spreads like wildfire once it looks like there is activity at its location.  Speaking of location - it's a little off the beaten path (at least for a tourist).  A & Dubs is located near where Lincoln Park and the West End become West Duluth, on west Third Street near the railroad tracks that cross I-35 overhead.

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    Getting Bridged

    If the term "getting bridged" means nothing to you - you must not be from the Twin Ports.

    The area's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge connects mainland Duluth and Canal Park with Minnesota Point (or Park Point as locals call it).  The bridge spans the harbor entry where Lake Superior becomes the St. Louis River.  In order to allow ships to pass under, the roadway was designed to lift on demand - allowing ore carriers and large ships to pass underneath with a lot of overhead clearance.  When the bridge lifts, it leaves vehicles waiting to cross;  in the local lexicon this is called "getting bridged".

    In years past, the bridge used to lift on demand when ships radioed in  that they needed it up.  In recent years, the incidence and duration has been regulated.  While the bridge always lifts for the larger ore carriers, local boat traffic must wait for agreed-upon times.

     

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    Colder By The Lake

    Visitors to Duluth-Superior can't wait to get to Canal Park to see the skylines that only Lake Superior can provide.  They love to watch the ships come in, love to stroll on the Lakewalk, and enjoy a bite to eat.

    How do you tell a native Duluth-Superior resident from a tourist when it comes to visiting the shores of the worlds largest freshwater lake?  Easy.  The hearty native will bring along a jacket or sweatshirt while the tourist freezes in shorts and tank tops.

    It's known as "colder by the lake" and it refers to the effects of such a large lake on our weather patterns.  Lake Superior's water temperature remains pretty constant - in the mid to upper 30's all year long.  Because of this, the lake acts as a heat sink;  in the winter it keeps things warmer down by the water but in the summer, it can get pretty chilly.

     

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    Outdoor Eating Places Open For The Season

    While we covered food in item #2, those establishments open only for the summer season.  But there is another dynamic in the warmer months in Duluth-Superior that shouldn't be missed.  When the weather turns nice, many favorite Twin Ports restaurants re-open their outdoor patios - allowing you the chance to dine al fresco.

    Eating outside at some of your favorite restaurants provides ample opportunities to take in the beautiful views that our area provides.  And - because summer is short in our area, natives take advantage of this every chance they get.

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